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The places locals actually send visitors to.

Hermit's Cove

A quiet white-sand cove with clear waters and a scenic West Cebu road trip.

Aloguinsan

attraction

A man in a black long-sleeve rashguard, blue and yellow swim trunks, and a baseball cap stands on the bow of a boat facing away from the camera, navigating through the calm, green water of Bojo River lined with lush rock cliffs under a cloudy sky.

Bojo River

Cruise through pristine mangroves along Aloguinsan's award-winning Bojo River.

Aloguinsan

attraction

A grand, castle-like white stone church with multi-tiered arched walkways and a tall central tower at Simala Shrine in Sibonga, Cebu. Colorful flags are strung across the structure, which overlooks a landscaped courtyard featuring a rock formation, a small red-roofed gazebo, and a pond

Monastery of the Holy Eucharist (Simala Shrine)

A castle-like Marian sanctuary in Sibonga known for its sacred shrine and architecture.

Sibonga

attraction

Wide white sand shoreline and clear blue sea at Basdako Beach in Moalboal.

Moalboal Beach — Basdako

Moalboal's beautiful white-sand beach, perfect for swimming, relaxing, and sunsets.

Moalboal

attraction

Tall single-tier waterfall plunging into a turquoise pool where swimmers wear orange life vests.

High-angle view from behind a person walking across a long wooden suspension bridge with blue railings, looking over a natural pool and small waterfall surrounded by dense tropical trees at Mantayupan Falls, Cebu.

Mantayupan Falls

About Mantayupan Falls

Mantayupan Falls is Cebu's tallest waterfall, a two-tier cascade in Barangay Campangga, Barili, locally known as Ambakan. The main drop plunges about 98 meters into an emerald pool, reached by a short forest walk and a hanging bridge that overlooks a smaller 14-meter falls near the entrance. Visitors come to swim, ride bamboo rafts, take photos, picnic, and sometimes stay overnight at simple on-site rooms, with the falls also feeding local irrigation and a mini-hydro plant. About two hours southwest of Cebu City, Mantayupan Falls is one of the best waterfall day trips in western Cebu for travelers seeking dramatic nature, affordable swimming, and a quieter alternative to Kawasan.

What to expect

Mantayupan is the tallest waterfall in Cebu, and the scale is the point. A short forest walk and a hanging footbridge bring you past a smaller 14-metre cascade near the entrance before the ground opens onto the main drop — a single ribbon of water falling about 98 metres down a jungle cliff into a deep emerald pool. You can swim in the basin, and the local bamboo rafts will pole you right under the falling water for what amounts to a pounding natural back massage. It is set up for a slow day rather than a quick photo: shaded picnic spots, room to spread out, and simple on-site rooms if you want to stay over. Because most day-trippers on the south route head straight for Kawasan, Mantayupan usually feels calmer, which is a large part of its appeal.

Editorial review

The other highlight of this place is that long hanging bridge — crossing it is part of the experience, and it gives you a great view of the surrounding area.

getReallyCebu

Know before you go

Entrance is roughly ₱50 for an adult and about ₱30 for seniors, PWDs, and children, with small kids free — rates are set by the local management and change, so treat these as a guide. A bamboo raft is around ₱100; the raft that takes you under the falls for the "massage" is usually a shared rate for a group. Mornings are best for light and space. Flow is thin in the dry months and heaviest in the June-to-October rains, when the pool can get silty and the path slippery. It is about two to two and a half hours from Cebu City by car, or a south-bound bus to Barili town followed by a short habal-habal.

Barangay Campangga, Barili, Cebu

Barili 45 km from Cebu City (straight-line)

Last checked September 6, 2026

⚠️ Travel & safety

Conditions, access, hours, and prices can change, and some places involve remote travel or activities with inherent risks. Verify important details locally and use your own judgment when visiting. See our Terms for important safety and liability information.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Mantayupan Falls?

South Bus to Barili, then habal-habal to the falls. Private car is roughly 2–2.5 hours from Cebu City.

When is the best time to visit Mantayupan Falls?

Mornings; flow is fuller in the rainy months June–Oct.

Where is Mantayupan Falls located?

Mantayupan Falls is at Barangay Campangga, Barili, Cebu. That puts it in Southern Cebu. It is roughly 45 km from Cebu City.

Is Mantayupan Falls worth visiting if you have already seen Kawasan?

Yes, if you want scale and space. At about 98 metres it is Cebu's tallest waterfall, and because most south-route day-trippers head straight to Kawasan it usually feels far calmer.

Can you get under the waterfall at Mantayupan?

Yes. Local bamboo rafts will pole you right under the falling water for a pounding natural back massage, usually at a shared rate for a group.

What else is there to see near Mantayupan Falls?

Hermit's Cove, Bojo River, and Monastery of the Holy Eucharist (Simala Shrine) are the closest places on the Cebuzone map to Mantayupan Falls, and are all linked below.